Effect of electrical stimulation on patients with diabetes-related ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to systematically review the literature to better understand the efficacy of electrical stimulation (ES) for the treatment of patients with diabetes-related ulcers. METHODS: We searched the Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases through July 31, 2021. Original trials for ES treatment of patients with diabetes-related ulcers with placebo or standard care as the control group were included. The primary outcomes were ulcer area reduction and healing rates. Meta-analyses were performed to compare the standardized mean difference (SMD) in the percentage of ulcer reduction and risk ratio of non-healing rates between ES treatment and placebo or standard care. We used the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials to assess the risk of bias for each included article. Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to assess publication bias. RESULTS: Compared to placebo or standard care, ES had a significant benefit for the treatment of patients with diabetes-related ulcers in terms of percentage of ulcer reduction (SMD = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.43-3.69; P < 0.001 (Q-test), I2 = 93.9%) and ulcer healing rates [risk ratio of non-healing rates for the ES group was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.54-0.96; P = 0.38 (Q-test), I2 = 2.3%)]. Two, four, and three of the included studies were categorized into low risk of bias, some concerns, and high risk of bias, respectively. No publication bias was found. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of this meta-analysis, ES could be used to treat patients with diabetes-related ulcers. ES treatment was effective for ulcer area reduction and ulcer healing, although it had a high heterogeneity level among the included studies. Pulsed current ES has the potential benefit of increasing ulcer healing compared to direct current ES. Further large-scale clinical trials are needed to define the adverse events and potentiators of ES in the treatment of patients with diabetes-related ulcers.

The immediate effects of neuromuscular joint facilitation on chronic low back pain in young and elderly people.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the changes in the pain severity and muscle hardness of the multifidus and longissimus muscles of young and elderly patients with low back pain after neuromuscular joint facilitation treatment. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 13 young patients and 11 elderly patients with chronic low back pain. The neuromuscular joint facilitation lumbar approach was used in all participants. The muscle hardness of the multifidus and longissimus muscles was assessed at the L4 and L5 levels of the lumbar spine. The changes in pain severity of low back pain were assessed using a visual analogue scale before and after treatment. [Results] Visual analogue scale scores significantly decreased in both groups after treatment. The young group showed significant differences in muscle hardness pre- and post-intervention. In addition, except for the muscle hardness of the multifidus muscle before intervention, on the side with pain at the L5 level, longissimus muscle hardness was higher in the elderly, as compared to the young patient group. [Conclusion] Interventions with neuromuscular joint facilitation have an immediate effect on pain relief in young and elderly people with chronic low back pain and on muscle spasms in young people with chronic low back pain.

Immediate effects of neuromuscular joint facilitation treatment on vertebral artery blood flow.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in blood flow velocity and the vascular diameter of vertebral arteries before and after neuromuscular joint facilitation interventions via the cervical spine approach in healthy adults. [Participants and Methods] We included 16 healthy adults (9 males and 7 females). The interventions were performed successively, separated by a one-week interval. The order of interventions was randomized. The blood-flow velocity and diameter of the vertebral artery were measured before and after the intervention. The neuromuscular joint facilitation group underwent neuromuscular joint facilitation neck flexion pattern and extension pattern training on the right side of the cervical spine, while the control group was asked to rest for 5 min. [Results] The neuromuscular joint facilitation group showed a significant increase in systolic blood flow velocity and mean blood flow velocity of the right vertebral artery after the intervention. In contrast, the control group showed no significant differences for any of the measured parameters after the intervention. [Conclusion] Neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention via the cervical spine approach may be recommended to improve vertebral artery function.

Novel piperazine-2,5-dione analogs bearing 1H-indole: Synthesis and biological effects.

In this work, a series of novel piperazine-2,5-dione derivatives bearing indole analogs (2a-2q) was designed and synthesized. The synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and ESI-MS. They were then evaluated for their anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities in vivo. The experimental results revealed that all the compounds showed clear anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Among them, compounds 2e and 2q exhibited the best anti-depressant effects (the percent decreases in the duration of immobility were 70.2% and 71.2%, respectively), which were similar to that of fluoxetine (67.9%) in the forced swim test. Additionally, compounds 2e and 2q also displayed good anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Literature reports have highlighted the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of anti-depressant drugs, suggesting that they may have a similar mechanism of action. Therefore, further studies to investigate the possible mechanisms of action of compounds 2e and 2q are warranted.

Screening of chalcone analogs with anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and COX-2-inhibiting effects.

A group of 2-methyl-4-phenylquinoline-chalcone analogs (2a-2x) was synthesized and investigated for anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects as cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. Pharmacological experiments identified 24 analogs that exhibited anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities. In particular, compounds 2c, 2k, and 2w markedly shortened immobility times and exhibited the most anti-depressant activity. In addition, the mechanisms of action of the analogs 2c, 2k, and 2w were likely related to increased serotonin levels in the central nervous system. Compounds 2c, 2k, and 2w displayed reasonable cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory effects (IC50 values from 0.21 to 0.29 µmol/L) similar to celecoxib (IC50: 0.19 µmol/L) in vitro. A molecular docking study of compound 2k also was conducted.

Measurement the thickness of the transverse abdominal muscle in different tasks.

[Purpose] This study examined the measurement of the thickness of the transverse abdominal muscle in different tasks. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were eleven healthy adult females. Thicknesses of transverse abdominal muscle were measured in seven tasks in the supine position. The tasks were: 1) Resting state, 2) Maximal contraction of transverse abdominal muscle, 3) Maximal contraction of levator ani muscle, 4) Maximal simultaneous contraction of both transverse abdominal muscle and levator ani muscle, 5) Maximal simultaneous contraction of both transverse abdominal muscle and levator ani muscle with front side resistance added to both knee, 6) Maximal simultaneous contraction of both transverse abdominal muscle and levator ani muscle with diagonal resistance added to both knees, and 7) Maximal simultaneous contraction of both transverse abdominal muscle and levator ani muscle with lateral resistance added to both knees. [Results] The thicknesses of transverse abdominal muscle during maximal simultaneous contraction and maximal simultaneous contraction with resistance were greater than during the resting state. [Conclusion] The muscle output during simultaneous contraction and resistance movement were larger than that of each individual muscle.

Two giant connected retroperitoneal schwannomas: a rare case report.

Schwannoma is a type of tumor originating from Schwann cells of peripheral nerves. In this study, we report a rare case of two giant connected retroperitoneal schwannomas. The patient presented to our department with a 1-day history of abdominal pain and without other symptoms. There were no abnormalities in the patient's tumor markers. Abdominal plain computed tomography (CT) revealed two (combined) retroperitoneal masses appearing as soft tissue-density shadows with uneven internal density, cystic low-density shadows, and patchy calcification shadows. The larger mass measured approximately 12.0 cm × 12.3 cm in size. The tumors were completely excised by a reasonable surgical approach while the surrounding organs closely related to the tumor were preserved. Postoperative pathology confirmed that the tumors were benign schwannomas. In the 18-month follow-up, the patient had no recurrences and was asymptomatic. We summarize the diagnosis and treatment of two rare combined giant retroperitoneal schwannomas in a single patient. Laparotomy for the management of retroperitoneal giant schwannomas may be safe and effective.

Corrosion Resistance and Biocompatibility of Calcium Phosphate Coatings with a Micro-Nanofibrous Porous Structure on Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys.

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have exhibited great potential for orthopedic applications; however, their poor corrosion resistance and potential cytotoxicity have hindered their further clinical applications. In this study, we prepared a calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coating with a micro-nanofibrous porous structure on the Mg alloy surface by a chemical conversion method. The morphology, composition, and corrosion performance of the coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), immersion tests, and electrochemical measurements. The effects of the preparation temperature of the Ca-P coatings were analyzed, and the results confirmed that the coating obtained at 60 °C had the densest structure and the best corrosion resistance. In addition, a systematic investigation into cell viability, ALP activity, and cell morphology confirmed that the Ca-P coating had excellent biocompatibility, which could effectively promote the proliferation, differentiation, and adhesion of osteoblasts. Hence, the Ca-P coating demonstrates great potential in the field of biodegradable Mg-based orthopedic implant materials.

Non-invasive physical therapy as salvage measure for ischemic skin flap: A literature review.

This review focuses on the available evidence regarding the molecular mechanisms and treatment potential of several non-surgical physical therapies for managing flap ischemia to propose a non-invasive, economical, and simple treatment to improve flap survival. A review of the literature was conducted on the topics of various non-invasive methods for the treatment of ischemic necrosis of the distal end of the flap between 1988 and 2019. A total of 52 published studies were reviewed on the applications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, electrical stimulation therapy, heat stress pretreatment, phototherapy, and vibration therapy to manage skin flap necrosis. The underlying molecular mechanisms of these physical therapies on revitalizing the dying skin flaps were discussed and preliminary clinical uses of these therapies to salvage the necrotic skin flaps were pooled and summarized for clarifying the safety and feasibility of these methods. Various physical therapy regimens have been ushered to manage necrotic development in cutaneous flaps. With the refinement of these new technologies and enhancement of related basic science research on vascular revitalization, the prevention and treatment of flap ischemia will enter a new era.

Chitoheptaose Promotes Heart Rehabilitation in a Rat Myocarditis Model by Improving Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiapoptotic Properties.

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis is one of the important causes of dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiac morbidity, and mortality worldwide. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) may have anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects on myocarditis. However, the exact molecular mechanism for the effects of functional COS on myocarditis remains unclear. METHODS: Anti-inflammatory activities of COS (chitobiose, chitotriose, chitotetraose, chitopentaose, chitohexaose, chitoheptaose, and chitooctaose) were measured in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW264.7 cells. A rat model with myocarditis was established and treated with chitopentaose, chitohexaose, chitoheptaose, and chitooctaose. Serum COS were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in all rats. Myocarditis injury, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), inflammatory factors, and apoptotic factors were also measured. Pearson's correlation coefficient test was used to explore the relationship between the levels of ROS/RNS and cardiac parameters. RESULTS: Among all chitosan oligosaccharides, the COS > degrees of polymerization (DP) 4 showed anti-inflammatory activities (the activity order was chitopentaose 4). The levels of ROS/RNS had a strong relationship with cardiac parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Chitoheptaose plays a myriad of cardioprotective roles in the myocarditis model via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities.

miR­126a­5p­Dbp and miR­31a­Crot/Mrpl4 interaction pairs crucial for the development of hypertension and stroke.

The present study aimed to integrate the mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR rats) and stroke­prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP rats) to screen for potential therapeutic targets for hypertension and stroke. The datasets GSE41452, GSE31457, GSE41453 and GSE53363 were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The GSE53361 dataset was obtained to analyze differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs). The DEGs and DEMs were identified between SHR (or SHRSP) rats and normotensive Wistar­Kyoto (WKY) rats using the Linear Models for Microarray (limma) data method. Venn diagrams were used to show the SHR­specific, SHRSP­specific and SHR­SHRSP shared DEGs and DEMs, and these were utilized to construct the protein­protein interaction (PPI) and miRNA­mRNA regulatory networks. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was used to explore the function of the genes. Subsequently, the connectivity Map (CMAP) database was searched to identify small­molecule drugs. Comparisons between the GSE41452­GSE31457­GSE41453 merged and GSE53363 datasets identified 2 SHR­specific, 8 SHRSP­specific and 15 SHR­SHRSP shared DEGs. Function enrichment analysis showed that SHRSP­specific D­box binding PAR bZIP transcription factor (Dbp) was associated with circadian rhythm, and SHR­SHRSP shared carnitine O­octanoyltransferase (Crot) was involved in fatty acid metabolic processes or the inflammatory response via interacting with epoxide hydrolase 2 (EPHX2). SHR­SHRSP shared mitochondrial ribosomal protein L4 (Mrpl4) may exert roles by interacting with the threonine­tRNA ligase, TARS2. The miRNA regulatory network predicted that upregulated Dbp could be regulated by rno­miR­126a­5p, whereas downregulated Crot and Mrpl4 could be modulated by rno­miR­31a. The CMAP database predicted that small­molecule drugs, including botulin, Gly­His­Lys, and podophyllotoxin, may possess therapeutic potential. In conclusion, the present study has identified Dbp, Crot and Mrpl4 as potential targets for the treatment of hypertension and stroke. Furthermore, the expression of these genes may be reversed by the above miRNAs or drugs.

Identification of human exercise-induced physiological function changes based on bioinformatics analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the physiological functions that were significantly affected by the exercise training. METHODS: Microarray dataset of GSE53598 was downloaded and preprocessed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between pre- and post-exercise muscle biopsies. Then hierarchical clustering, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction and functional enrichment analysis were conducted. Finally, the significant physiological functions were identified using logistic regression algorithm. RESULTS: Total 420 up- and 420 down-regulated DEGs were identified. DEGs including E2F transcription factor 6, hypocretin (Orexin) neuropeptide precursor, caveolin 1, platelet-derived growth factor beta polypeptide, and transforming growth factor, beta 1 had higher degree in the PPI network. Functions related to blood vessel development, regulation of cell migration, negative regulation of gene expression, and negative regulation of metabolic process changed significantly after exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Functions related to blood vessel development, regulation of cell migration, negative regulation of gene expression and negative regulation of metabolic process may be closely associated with exercising.